The latest and greatest college luxury: Loaner puppies

Animal lovers, prepare to be jealous. While typical perks at a college or university include free laundry, on-campus gyms and constant campus security, some schools (read: more prestigious schools) have gone far outside of the box.

Most notably Harvard and Yale, among a few others, have enacted dog therapy programs for students. While these calm dogs are normally used to aid senior citizens or people who are ill, colleges and universities have turned to these canines to help combat the immense stress facing the modern-day college student.

Cooper, a Shih Tzu, and mini-celebrity among college therapy dogs, has become the face of this program at Harvard University. This little canine works specifically in The Harvard Medical School’s Library helping sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, studying students. Cooper is so popular that students can reserve time with him on the Harvard Library’s website.

Harvard and Yale are not the only schools to utilize the power of dogs. The Veterinary Colleges of Tufts University and Virginia Tech, and Kent State University are other examples of schools joining this growing movement. Pet therapy in colleges is very new, and remains a service primarily geared towards the elderly, but there are people out there that already see the benefits in higher education.

An essay in the research journal College & Undergraduate Libraries states the following on the topic: “College students face many of the same issues as the elderly, such as living away from home, often leaving pets behind and adjusting to an impersonal institution.” It continues, “Studies have shown that interacting with an unknown dog reduced blood pressure, lowered anxiety, and reduced self-reported depression among college students.”

But what do students themselves think about dog therapy programs? Below are some thoughts and opinions expressed on the topic. Share your thoughts with USA TODAY College on Facebook, or by tweeting us.

@jaysonstation @USATODAYcollege dog therapy is a great way to de-stress for those who might be too nervous to talk to someone!

Homonormativity fighter, Buffy lover and Hot Mess Express conductor, Jayson Flores is a contributing writer for USA TODAY College and Philadelphia Magazine’s Gay and Lesbian blog G Philly. He is a proud feminist, gaymer, Puerto Rican and warrior for equality. Check him out on Twitter @Jaysonstation.

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